As every Malawian already knows, almost three decades ago, which 30 years ago, the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) was formed at the request of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda’s government. 

Thirty years ago, at about this time, Malawians were agitating for a change from the one-party one-man government to a multi-party and multi-person dispensation. 

Thirty years ago, around this time, individuals, groups of individuals and organisations, such as faith groups, were making their demands disparately. The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, the Catholic Church, and other faith groups were each issuing pastoral letters demanding change in governance and calling for multiparty democracy.   

The groups had a common message but not a common voice or platform. The Kamuzu Banda government saw and understood what the fight was for and what the pro-multiparty, multi-person government campaigners lacked: teamwork and unity of purpose. 

Thus, the Kamuzu government decided to engage the groups demanding change in contact and dialogue for the benefit of Malawi and to avoid slipping into tribal or internecine violence.  The government announced that it had formed a Presidential Committee on Dialogue (PCD) and, in response, the faith groups formed the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) as the voice of the people to engage the government.  The PCD and PAC were thus partners in dialogue.

The PCD disbanded immediately the purpose of the group was achieved, but PAC decided to make itself relevant by being the voice and conscience of the people during the multiparty era.

To be honest, PAC has, until recently tried to be as humanly neutral as possible in the conduct of its affairs.  Of course, individuals have ever used their PAC positions to gain something, especially lucrative positions, for themselves.  We know them and we will not waste time mentioning them here.

Some people have openly called on PAC to honourably disband, because it has lost direction and its mandate expired 30 years ago, but PAC has soldiered on and proved its relevance over time.

It intervenes in public affairs, provides insights, critiques the government, and engages the government in dialogue over issues of national importance.

In exercise of its mandate, PAC has met all presidents to communicate what Malawians feel.  Indeed, recently, PAC engaged President Lazarus Chakwera to tell him to do something about corruption and the soaring prices of goods and services.

Controversially, PAC later met former president Peter Mutharika, president of the Democratic Progressive Party and possible presidential candidate for 2025.

Since then the public has been wondering what PAC went to do at Mutharika’s home. Traditional media do not know. PAC has not released official information. Mutharika says he advised Chakwera, through PAC, to do what he did to rectify the economy. He said he found economic problems left behind by president Joyce Banda and he, Chakwera, should correct the mistakes he, Mutharika, left behind. 

Some social media outlets and self-styled WhatsApp influencers claimed that PAC went to beg Mutharika to provide checks and balance against Chakwera.  Others guessed that, actually, Chakwera asked PAC to beg Mutharika for ideas on running government. Yet others said Mutharika called PAC to indicate his desire to stand and for PAC to support his bid. 

These guesses abound because of lack of official information from PAC.

If PAC were indeed sent by Chakwera, that is good news. If PAC decided to engage only Mutharika to provide checks and balances on the government, all normal-thinking people expect PAC to next invite former president Bakili Muluzi to  also provide checks and balances on the Chakwera government.

If, indeed, PAC was called by Mutharika to request PAC’s tacit endorsement of his presidential ambition, then PAC has some explaining to do because its gesture can hardly be described as neutral.  The endorsements that followed PAC’s visit to Mutharika’s home are suspect.  PAC must shine its lamp on its political activities and operate honestly and transparently.

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